13 September 2007, 18:43
Journalists arrested in Azerbaijan appeal for pardon
Isakhan Ashurov, advocate of Einullah Fatullaev, has informed that his client lodged an application to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev with an appeal for pardon, since the investigation lacks any evidences of his guilt.
Following Einullah Fatullaev, journalists Samir Sadatoglu and Rafik Tagi, arrested for insulting Prophet Mohammed in their "Sanat" (Arts) newspaper, have also petitioned for pardon to the Azerbaijani leader. Besides, editor-in-chief of the "Mukhalifat" (Opposition) newspaper Rovshan Kabirli and Yashar Agazade, an employee of this edition, arrested under the claim of Dzhalal Aliev, uncle of the country's leader, have also applied for pardon to President Aliev.
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has learnt about it from the families of the journalists.
Meanwhile today, Maria Anna Ishler Beguin, head of the delegation of the European Parliament who is now in Azerbaijan, is going to meet the arrested journalists.
In her conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, she has informed that the EU's position on the problem of arrested journalists was already brought to the knowledge of the Azerbaijani authorities. "We want to meet the imprisoned journalists and listen to their position. We also want to be provided with their case files," she has noted.
See earlier reports: "CE's Human Rights Commissioner met the arrested "Real Azerbaijan" editor."
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
